Last week, OPS attendees gathered together in Monterey, CA to attend education sessions, keynote presentations, and a trade show exhibition featuring over 150 organic growers, shippers, and processors showcasing their fresh produce items. Attendees met with members of the retailer and buyer community and discussed important topics relating to the organic fresh produce industry.

Opening Reception

Stephen Oroszlany and Thomas Paragham, Wakefern Food Corp, with Dave Johnson, Pacific International Marketing

Ben Hartman, Nate Jordan, Joyce Zhang, and Brian Carroll, Good Eggs

CEA: What's Real & What's Hype? Producer Perspective

Obstactles & Opportunities for Organic Produce Post-COVID

“If OPN’s goal was to create a breakthrough conference that provided a forum for buyers and sellers to come together, to answer a pent-up desire to network face to face, to offer the organic industry education in tours and sessions, and to do so in an exciting and jubilant atmosphere, then the OPS was a resounding success!” -Steve Junqueiro, CEO, Steve Junqueiro Associates

CEA: What's Real & What's Hype? Consumer/Retailer Perspective

Michael Schutt, Raleys, in What Lies Ahead for E-Commerce?

Brian Boutin, H-E-B, talks with Lorena Muro, L&R Global

“We love this show. We mostly sell organics now, and we’ve seen a lot of customers as well as a few growers that we do business with. What we love is it is focused on organics, and we can get a lot done in four hours. The show has been upbeat and robust.” - Dominic Etcheberria, General Manager, Veg-Land/JBJ Distributing

Larissa Zimberoff, Investigative Journalist and Author

Jim Donald, Co-Chairman, Albertsons and Kevin Coupe, Morning News Beat

Attendees enjoying lunch outside provided by Homegrown Organics and Tanimura & Antle

“We are really excited to be back and see all our partners that we haven't seen in almost two years. Reconnecting and exchanging ideas is so much better in person. We're really feeling the connections, and it's refreshing to be here and not behind a computer screen.” - Kristina Luna, Wholesum Family Farms

Ding Zhang, Trinity Distribution, talks with retailer

Trade show floor

Andy Vargas, The Save Mart Companies, talks with Organic Girl

“It’s great to be out with people again and showcase our new purple sweet potatoes. I think this show is so great. There are more people here than I expected!”- Kurt Kistler, Charlie’s Produce

Barry Paul, Shaw's Supermarket, and Jim Molamphy, Albertsons, talk during the morning break

Steven Huffman, Sun Basket speaks with Bob Borda, Cal-Organic Farms

Alex McCloskey and Lisa Dennis, Church Brothers Farms, check out the Organic Innovations Showcase